Published: June 17, 2009 05:49 pm      

Athens council gets update from AEDC

The economic downturn has put a kink in the plans of a local business.

Athens Economic Development Corporation President/CEO Brian Malone told the Athens City Council on Wednesday that Athens Park Homes has requested a six-month extension on its performance agreement.

He said the company received a $100,000 loan, which would be forgiven based on new employees, in May of 2008. He said the company has not been able to expand its workforce.

“The economy gave them a whack in the knee,” Malone said. “They are struggling to meet the numbers.”

He said the AEDC Board voted to approve the extension.

“I think it is a good thing to work with them,” Malone said. “They are optimistic about adding a new product line and get to growing like they were before the downturn.”

He also said Hydraulic Power Services has requested a capital extension until Dec. 31. Malone said the company has not yet received a loan.

The council also heard a presentation from United States Census 2010 Partnership Specialist Michael Boren.

Boren said local government bodies are being encouraged to set up committees in partnership with the Census Bureau.

“Some communities are more interested than others,” he said.

Boren said committees have been set up in Gun Barrel City and Kaufman. He said Henderson County Judge David Holstein has also indicated interest in forming a committee.

Boren said each community will decide how its committee will work with the Census Bureau.

“It is a local committee, the government doesn’t run it,” Boren said. “It is home-owned.”